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Sunday, March 09, 2014

Martin St. Louis traded to New York Rangers from Tampa Bay Lightning - ESPN New York

This is going to take some getting used to, seeing Martin St. Louis in a uniform other than the Tampa Bay Lightning. This seems like an even trade, captain for captain, but just looking at the player for player trade, a net loss for the heart Lightning. St. Louis was the heart and soul of this club for years and years. His play recently shows he seemingly has not missed a step. His relentless hustle is a great influence throughout the organization. Top to bottom.

The New York Rangers have acquired six-time All-Star Martin St. Louis from the Tampa Bay Lightning for captain Ryan Callahan and two draft picks. The Rangers sent a first-round pick in 2015 and a second-round pick in 2014 to Tampa Bay in the deal, which was completed in the final hours before Wednesday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.

There are two picks-related conditions in the trade. If the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference finals this season, the 2014 pick headed to Tampa Bay would become a first-round selection. If Callahan, a pending unrestricted free agent, re-signs with the Lightning, New York would receive a second-round pick in 2015 and Tampa Bay would get an additional seventh-round pick in 2015.

You don't do a heart transplant and replace a strong heart with a weaker heart. The patient suffers. The draft picks may seem like some sort of panacea, but the Lightning better hope that the patient survives once the replacement heart walks away in free-agency. Then where are you?

What a bad move for the Lightning and a turbo boost for the Rangers playoff hopes. Bad move by the Lightning. That's all I can say. Horribly bad.

11. Jordan Johnson 6-3,200 RHP His FB cruises at 93-96 mph and touched 98, while averaging 12.3 K/9, with improved command, he could become a mid-rotation starter

12. Sam Coonrod 6-3, 215 RHP Hard-thrower got off to a good start in rookie ball, impressed with high K/BB ratio. Needs to keep ball in the yard.

13. Matt Krook 6-4, 225 LHP Can be unhittable at times. Has outstanding life on 92-94 MPH FB. CB can be a plus-plus pitch with power and depth, slider shows flashes. If he can't harness his stuff well enough to stay in the rotation, his FB/CB combo could still make him a high-leverage reliever.

14. Austin Slater 6-2, 215 2B well-schooled from Stanford Univ. via The Bolles School in Jacksonville FL good size, speed combo with hit tool playing well through AA. Line drive, gap hitter with 15HR power potential